When:
27th-29th June
Where is it:
6 miles from the town of Glastonbury, Somerset, on the Worthy Farm in Pilton.
History:
Glastonbury is the most famous of all festivals, and has been taking place at the same spot (albeit periodically) since 1970.
Trivia:
T-Rex were the very first Glastonbury headliners in 1970, when all attendees were given free milk from the farm! The 2008 festival will host 180,000 people and will have 3,500 toilets.
Who is on:
Kings of Leon, Kate Nash, The Raconteurs, Crowded House, Leonard Cohen, Goldfrapp, John Mayer, The Fratellis, Editors, The Feeling, The Subways, Jay-Z, Manu Chao, James Blunt, Seasick Steve, Martha Wainwright, Shakin’ Stevens, The Verve, The Enemy, Foals, We Are Scientists, Ben Folds, Massive Attack, Hot Chip, Duffy, The Zutons, Groove Armada, Jimmy Cliff, Joan Armatrading, Estelle, The Cribs, The Ting Tings, Biffy Clyro, The Futureheads, Suzanne Vega, Pete Doherty, Dizzee Rascal, Joan Baez, CSS, Fatboy Slim, Roni Size, UNKLE
If you only see one act, make it:
Rumours that Amy Winehouse may yet be added to the lineup are as yet unconfirmed. The star of the show is likely to be Jay-Z, whose appearance as a headliner has caused some controversy. If his gig at Madison Square Gardens was anything to go by, he will put on a show.
Well worth checking out:
The Ninja Tune showcase on Saturday night will be well worth your time, but make sure to take in Santogold and Be Your Own Pet.
When:
4th-6th July
Where is it:
Stoke Park, in the centre of Guildford. 4 miles off the M25, heading along the A3.
History:
The festival has been going since 1992.
Trivia:
Guilfest is seen as the most family friendly of festivals. It has won the Best Family Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards.
Who is on:
Levellers, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Blondie, Kula Shaker, Dodgy, Australian Pink Floyd, Cerys Matthews, Freak Power, Bowling for Soup, The Aliens, British Sea Power, Seth Lakeman, Dreadzone, 65daysofstatic, Enjoy Destroy, Frank Turner
If you only see one act, make it:
Plenty to choose from. Brian Jonestown Massacre (the subject of the film "DiG!") are as likely to fight with the crowd as they are to play for them.
Well worth checking out:
Seth Lakeman. As well as being a virtuoso violinist, Lakeman sings and provides his own percussion. All at the same time.
When:
July 11th-13th
Where is it:
Balado, near Kinross in Scotland. 17 miles South of Perth, and 27 miles North of Edinburgh.
History:
T in the Park started in 1994, and was originally hosted by Strathclyde Park in Lanarkshire. Balado has been the home of the festival since 1997.
Trivia:
T in the Park might well be the booziest festival in the World, with over 3 million pints consumed at the festival since its inception in 1994.
Who is on:
REM, The Verve, Stereophonics, Rage Against the Machine, The Fratellis, The Kooks, Amy Winehouse, Counting Crows, Shed Seven, Chemical Brothers, Kaiser Chiefs, The Prodigy, Ian Brown, The Pogues, The Futureheads, The Zutons, Jack Penate, Seasick Steve, The Stranglers, Primal Scream, The Charlatans, Echo and the Bunnymen, Sons and Daughters, The Ting Tings, Aphex Twin, DJ Hell, Ben Folds, MGMT, Interpol, Battles, 1990’s, Glasvegas, Paul Heaton, Blood Red Shoes.
If you only see one act, make it:
REM. Their only UK festival appearance this year, and one of the best live acts that the world has ever seen. And we don’t say that lightly.
Well worth checking out:
Seasick Steve is worth your time if you want authentic cowboy blues and storytelling the way it should be.
When:
25th-27th July
Where is it:
Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire. 100 miles west of London, just off Junction 17 of the M4.
History:
The first WOMAD festival took place in 1982, with the festival moving to its current site in 2007.
Trivia:
WOMAD festival (World of Music, Arts and Dance) was an idea pioneered by Peter Gabriel. There are now WOMAD festivals in over 20 countries around the world.
Who is on:
Shane MacGowan, Roni Size, Squeeze, Beat Bristol, Agricantus, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Boy George, Cara Dillon, Chic, Eddy Grant, Finlay Quaye, Gocoo, Hot Tuna, Little Feat, Monobloco, Rachid Taha, Sa Ding Ding, Show of Hands, Sudd MM, Terakraft, Transglobal Underground.
If you only see one act, make it:
Lee "Scratch" Perry is arguably the most influential artist in Dub, and had a huge hand in the spread of Reggae around the world - genuine musical royalty. His sets can vary wildly in quality, but if he is on a good day you will be in for a treat.
Well worth checking out:
Simone White. Although her music is probably best known as accompanying the Audi R8 in the recent ad campaign, her alt-country style should be perfect at WOMAD.
When:
1st-3rd August
Where is it:
Eastnor Castle, Ledbury in Herefordshire.
History:
The first Big Chill Festival took place in 1995, in the Black Mountains, Wales.
Trivia:
The Big Chill is arguably the most eco-friendly festival, as organisers make a point of stressing their "Leave No Trace" policy for campers and revellers.
Who is on:
Alabama 3, Ame, Asian Dub Foundation, Nitin Sawhney, Ron Trent, DJ Manga, Daedalus, Roots Manuva, Si Armstrong, Son of Dave, UK Apache, Very Be Careful, Adam Buxton, Bill Bailey, The Mighty Boosh, African Head Charge, Bomb the Bass, Cornelius, Beth Orton, Leonard Cohen, Lykke Li, Mum, Lee Scratch Perry, Jilted John, Afro Funk Allstars, Buzzcocks, Thievery Corporation, Roisin Murphy, Peatbog Faeries.
If you only see one act, make it:
The Mighty Boosh. Julian Barrett and Noel Fielding have taken The ’Boosh from the stage, to the radio, to the TV and back again. The live show features the most popular characters from the series, and a good deal of improvisation added for good measure.
Well worth checking out:
Trentemoller. The Danish electronica pioneer is probably best known for his remix work, as his Essential Mix was voted Best of the Year by the BBC. How this translates to a festival crowd will be worth further investigation.
When:
15th-17th August
Where is it:
Escot Park, Ottery Saint Mary, Devon.
History:
The festival has been organised and hosted by The Levellers, since 2003.
Trivia:
Beautiful Days won the Best Small Festival at the UK Festival awards last year. This is no doubt helped by the fact that they have showers on site, and toilets which are regularly cleaned!
Who is on:
Squeeze, Supergrass, Levellers, Alabama 3, Frank Turner, Parma International, Arthur Smith, Damien Dempsey, Fishbone, Nouvelle Vague, Seth Lakeman, Cage the Elephant, Flogging Molly, Idlewild, 12 Stone Toddler, Turin Breaks, Sheelanagig, Los Albertos, Sebastien Tellier.
If you only see one act, make it:
Idlewild. Famously described as "sounding like a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs", Idlewild have mellowed somewhat as singer Roddy Woomble has embraced his love of Folk music. However, last year’s Make Another World proved that they can push in both directions without losing any of their punch.
Well worth checking out:
Sebastian Tellier. He may well be a household name by the time that he takes to the stage, as he is France’s entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, he is a million miles from your average Eurovision singer. He lists Air and Daft Punk as fans, and was featured in the soundtrack to Lost in Translation.
When:
16th and 17th of August
Where is it:
Hydelands Park in Cheshire, 30 minutes from Birmingham (off the A5) and Weston Park in Staffordshire, 2 miles outside Chelmsford.
History:
The first V Festival was held in 1996, after a collaboration between Jarvis Cocker and the Virgin Group. Early events were very much focused on Britpop, and the festival now mixes indie, rock and pop acts.
Trivia:
V festivals are now taking place all over the world. In 2008 there will be a V Festival in Calgary, Baltimore, Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto and Perth.
Who is on:
Stereophonics, The Verve, Lenny Kravitz, Muse, Alanis Morissette, Girls Aloud, Squeeze, The Prodigy, Newton Faulkner, The Hoosiers, Duffy, Kaiser Chiefs, Reverend and the Makers, Jamie T, Sugababes, Travis, Robyn, Calvin Harris, Ian Brown, The Pogues, Scouting for Girls, Estelle, Sam Sparro, The Stranglers, Young Knives.
If you only see one act, make it:
Although it will be interesting to see how the crowd take
to Girls Aloud, there can be no excuses for missing Muse’s
only festival appearance this year. Judging by last years’
Wembley shows, there will be light shows, and fireworks
and who knows what else.
Well worth checking out:
Jamie T. Mr Treays returns to UK shores having finished a stint in the US, and gives us a chance to catch him before he disappears to record album number two.
When:
22nd-24th August
Where is it:
Richfield Avenue in Reading (Reading Festival) and Bramham Park, just off the A1, 15 miles from Leeds city centre (Leeds Festival).
History:
Reading is in its 20th year, while Leeds festival is 10 years old.
Trivia:
The Stone Roses played their last ever gig at Reading Festival in 1996. Local councillors from the Conservative Party refused to grant a licence for the Reading Festival in 1984. It was not until the Labour party took the seat in 1986, that a licence was granted.
Who is on:
Metallica, Slipknot, Tenacious D, The Killers, Bloc Party, Rage Against the Machine, Queens of the Stoneage, The Enemy, Serj Tankian, Taking Back Sunday, The Raconteurs, Dirty Pretty Things, British Sea Power, Tenacious D, Feeder, The Duke Spirit, Manic Street Preachers, Foals, Santogold, Be Your Own Pet, Conor Oberst, Hadouken!, Pennywise, Gallows, Adam Green, Lethal Bizzle, Robots in Disguise, Henry Rollins, Chromeo, CSS, Holy Fuck.
If you only see one act, make it:
Rage Against The Machine. Having reformed last year, RATM are back at their British Spiritual Home when they visit Reading. Hugely entertaining, and as relevant now as they were 15 years ago.
Well worth checking out:
Chromeo. Billed as "the only successful Arab/Jewish collaboration since the beginning of time", Chromeo’s live show is a hugely entertaining mix of electrofunk and tongue in cheek humour.
When:
23rd and 24th August
Where is it:
Daresbury, Cheshire. Just outside Runcorn, about 25 minutes from Liverpool.
History:
Creamfields originally started 10 years ago, and was first hosted at Anfield, home of Liverpool football club. The festival moved to the current location in 2006.
Trivia:
Creamfields events are held annually all over the world. South America has regular events in Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico and Chile. There have also been events held in the Czech Republic since 2002. There are plans in place to move the festival to Vilnius in Lithuania for 2009.
Who is on:
Fatboy Slim, Pendulum, Gossip, Simian Mobile Disco, Kasabian, Underworld, Soulwax, The Whip, Ian Brown, Friction, Paul Van Dyk, Roots Manuva, Erick Morillo, Sasha, 2 Many DJs, Pete Tong, Eric Prydz, Hype, IC3, Luciano, Judge Jules, Kim Ayres, Kutski, Laid Back Luke, Mason, The Clik Clik, Tocadisco, Yousef, Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Andy Mac, Dave Spoon, Funkerman, John Digweed, Peter Hook, Cut Copy, Gorillaz Sound System.
If you only see one act, make it:
Roots Manuva. Roots Manuva (aka Rodney Smith) is one of the most instantly recognisable artists in UK hip-hop and Dub. "Witness" was recently voted the greatest British Hip Hop track of all time.
Well worth checking out:
Laid Back Luke. From the fine tradition of Dutch House music comes Laid Back Luke, aka Luke Van Scheppingen. His sound is hugely accessible, and should have the floor dancing.
When:
5th-7th September
Where is it:
Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight.
History:
Started in 2004 to run parallel with the Isle of Wight festival. The event was organise and hosted by DJ, Rob Da Bank.
Trivia:
Perhaps the most novel feature of Bestival is the giant inflatable church that occupies the grounds. Couples can get married on the site!
Who is on:
My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse, Underworld, 808 State, Aphex Twin, Baaba Maal, Black Kids, Chas and Dave, Chromeo, CSS, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Dub Pistols, Foals, Gary Numan, George Clinton, Hot Chip, Human League, Hadouken!, Drew, King Creosote, Lethal Bizzle, Lykke Li, Pete and the Pirates, Red Snapper, Sam Sparro, Santogold, Slam, The Wedding Present, Stereo MC’s, Alexa Chung (DJ set), Coldcut, Will Young, Kelly Osborne (DJ set), Fuck Buttons, Lets Wrestle, These New Puritans.
If you only see one act, make it:
There are plenty to choose from, but nobody should pass up the chance to see George Clinton and Funkadelic/Parliament. And My Bloody Valentine.
Well worth checking out:
Lykke Li is the latest in the long line of Scandinavian electronic acts, who are all too easily compared with the likes of Bjork and Robyn. Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson writes delicate indie/electro songs (track down Little Bit) and her live shows are often hugely improvised.
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Roots Manuva (on at The Big Chill this year) produces his own albums under the alias Lord Gosh, or Hylton Smythe.